Miami Dolphins: How well are they spending their cap dollars?

Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi should be a remarkable contract bargain in 2017. Ajayi is scheduled to be the NFL’s 86th-highest paid runner. (Bill Ingram / The Palm Beach Post)

Here is a look at the five positions the Miami Dolphins, in comparison to the other 31 NFL teams, spend the most and least money (all via spotrac). As you’ll soon learn, Miami really needs better production for what it’s paying from its defensive line and could very well receive outstanding production for what its paying at many positions, including receiver, linebacker and running back. In general, Miami (operating with $16.9 million in cap space, which is 14th-best in the NFL) and $8.2 million in dead cap money (just worse than the league average) is managing the all-important salary cap fairly well.

Most salary cap allocation:

Defensive line — (1st in the NFL at $45.2 million, or 29.2 percent of the total cap). Analysis: Is Miami getting a proper return on investment? The Dolphins were 30th in the NFL in rush defense last season and tied for 19th in the NFL in sacks. Ndamukong Suh ties up $19.1 million in 2017, as he is the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league and 15th-highest paid player in the NFL. There are six big names in this group (Suh, Cameron Wake, Andre Branch, William Hayes, Charles Harris and Jordan Phillips) and first-year defensive coordinator Matt Burke must find a way to increase the overall production.

Quarterback — (6th in the NFL at $23.6 million, or 15.2 percent of the total cap). Analysis: Ryan Tannehill counts $20.3 million against Miami’s cap in 2017 (6th among NFL quarterbacks) and ranked 12th in the league in passer rating in 2016, so the numbers are not completely out of whack. Of course, Miami would like to see Tannehill make the leap into the so-called “elite” category, as for example, Matt Ryan did last season. Backup Matt Moore ($2.2 million) is the NFL’s 39th-highest paid quarterback and Miami is fortunate to have him.

Tight end — (9th in the NFL at $10.4 million, or 6.7 percent of the total cap). Analysis: Despite taking a pay cut to play for the Dolphins, Julius Thomas’ cap hit is still $5.6 million, which makes him the 6th-highest paid Dolphin as well as the 10th-highest paid tight end in the league. Miami is banking on Thomas’ production to far exceed that of former tight end Jordan Cameron, who retired due to injury. Backup Anthony Fasano, at $2.75 million, is paid like a low-end starter.

Safety — (13th in the NFL at $12.6 million, or 8.1 percent of the total cap). Analysis: The Dolphins could get excellent production for what they’re paying their safeties in 2017. Reshad Jones’ cap hit is $3.7 million (it jumps to $11.6 in 2018). Starter Nate Allen is the NFL’s 16th-highest paid free safety. And special teams dynamo Michael Thomas and T.J. McDonald (suspended for eight games) seem likely to outperform their contracts.

Offensive line — (22nd in the NFL at $24.9 million, or 16.1 percent of the total cap). Analysis: The highest-paid Miami offensive lineman, by far, is center Mike Pouncey. He is the third-highest paid Dolphin and third-highest paid center in the NFL and would be subject to release if he wasn’t so talented and such a heart-and-soul leader of the unit. In part because his cap hit is $8.9 million, Miami needs Pouncey to be healthy. Laremy Tunsil and Ja’Wuan James, at $2.8 million and $2.7 million this season, could be bargains. The Dolphins have chosen not to overextend for guards (22nd in the league).

Least salary cap allocation:

Wide receiver — (30th in the NFL at $12.5 million, or 8.1 percent of the total cap). Analysis: The Dolphins may have one of the NFL’s best receiving trios, but these youngsters aren’t yet highly-paid. Of course this may change if and when Jarvis Landry receives a mega-deal before the start of the season. But as of now, Landry will count only $1.1 million against the cap (29th on the Dolphins and the 97th-highest paid receiver in the league). Kenny Stills’ new deal averages $8 million a season, but his cap hit is only $3.8 million for this season (42nd-highest receiver in the league). DeVante Parker has two years left on his original deal (plus a club option), so Miami is well-positioned at this position. All three players will be 24 or 25 this season.

Special teams — (29th in the NFL at $2.9 million, or 1.8 percent of the total cap). Analysis: Andrew Franks is the NFL’s 30th-highest paid kicker. Matt Darr is the NFL’s 26th-highest paid punter. John Denney is the NFL’s 19th-highest paid snapper. The Dolphins had the NFL’s 12-best overall special teams unit, as ranked by Football Outsiders. Miami was really strong in kick return and kick coverage. And many core special teamers return, such as Mike Hull, Michael Thomas, Lafayette Pitts, Walt Aikens, Neville Hewitt and Kenyan Drake have all returned.

Linebacker — (26th in the NFL at $16.1 million, or 9.8 percent of the total cap). Analysis: The Dolphins increased their financial commitment to linebacker (as was needed) with the addition of free agent thumper Lawrence Timmons (2 years, $12 million as the NFL’s 13th-highest paid inside linebacker). Signing Kiko Alonso to a new 4-year, $28.9 million deal with $2.85 million in cap space this season was smart. Koa Misi took a pay cut but still counts $3.6 million against the cap this season.

Running back — (26th in the NFL at $4.8 million, or 3.1 percent of the total cap). Analysis: Jay Ajayi should be one of the NFL’s great bargains in 2017. He is scheduled to count $670,203 against the cap. This would make Ajayi the 41st-highest paid Dolphin, 86th-highest paid running back in the NFL and 1,310th-highest paid player in the NFL. And Miami is considering giving Ajayi 350 carries. If Ajayi repeats his 2016 efforts, it would seem likely he is given an extension with one year left on his deal after 2017. Ajayi currently slated to make less than Damien Williams and Kenyan Drake and only $230,203 more than Storm Johnson and Senorise Perry.

Cornerback — (23rd in the NFL at $12.7 million, or 8.2 percent of the total cap). Analysis: The Dolphins actually have depth at cornerback, which any franchise would covet. Veteran Byron Maxwell ($8.5 million hit) is scheduled to earn more than seven other Miami cornerbacks combined, which is why he’ll be subject to intense scrutiny. Which he’s used to. Xavien Howard (80th-highest paid corner in NFL) and Bobby McCain (138th) and Tony Lippett (139th) and rookie Cordrea Tankersley all have the ability to out-perform their early-career contracts.

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About the Authors

Jason Lieser has covered sports in Chicago, New Orleans and now South Florida

Joe Schad is a sports reporter for The Palm Beach Post who covers the Miami Dolphins. He previous covered sports for ESPN, the Orlando Sentinel and Newsday.

After 19 years as a sports writer, copy editor and assistant sports editor at The Miami Herald, Hal Habib joined The Palm Beach Post's sports department in 1998. Areas of coverage range from the Olympics, Kentucky Derby and Super Bowl to local sports.